Stuck In the Flood While Driving? Here Are Guidelines for Driving Through Floods!

Ever wonder what you should do if you get stuck in the car while driving through floods? Due to the recent flood that has landed our states, Caricarz would like to share a few tips on surviving the flood while driving.

Flash floods are deemed one of the deathly disasters as they may occur within minutes of rainfall and minor warnings.

While driving through the rain, all you have in mind is going straight home, but suddenly you encounter a situation where there is a flood, so how should you act? Do TURN AROUND and look for other roads. The water can be much more profound than it seems, hence do not risk it, and just turn your wheels around to avoid any danger.  

However, if you find yourself stuck in rising water and the first thing that crosses your mind is to start the engine, PLEASE DON’T! Starting the vehicle will only cause severe engine damage. The right way is to leave the car and get to safer higher ground.

In an incident where perhaps the water level reaches below the bottom of your vehicle’s door, you may slowly drive ahead to prevent water from entering the car’s components and STAY ALERT all the way through. However, it is advisable to navigate through the water if you are familiar with the road and not change gears or stop when driving.

With the recent tragedy that caused many car and motorcycle losses, Zurich Malaysia reported many do not know if they are covered for loss due to natural disasters. People may check their coverage with their respective insurance companies.

The Malaysian government has announced a post-flood allocation of RM100 million to help repair houses and damaged infrastructure. Due to the extent of damage caused by a massive flood that crashed six states, including Selangor, the government will contribute RM1,000 to all impacted households.

At the same time, the Selangor State Government (SSN) also giving out a subsidy of RM500 a year for affected victims by sending photos in the house with water, a police report, IC photocopies and utility bills along with an application form to the state government. 

Other than providing financial aid, the government has granted emergency leave (EL) to civil servants impacted by the flood. The Prime Minister also wishes private-sector employers would take the same initiative.

The Communications and Multimedia Ministry (KKMM) also funded RM2.18 million in aid to flood victims, and distribution will be coordinated by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).

Several banks including Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank), Ambank Group and Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd (BIMB), has announced their assistance to affected customers consists of bits of help such as deferment of the loan payment, a reduction in monthly instalments or extension of repayment tenure.

"Customers can apply for the assistance via email to floodrelief@maybank.com providing name/company name, IC number/Business Registration, contact number,” said Maybank.